5. Hey, did you know that Cookie Monster's name is really Sid? That and 42 other Sesame Street fun facts in honor of their 43rd season premiere yesterday. [via The Atlantic]

6. A Chinese court denied Ai Weiwei's most recent -- and final -- appeal on the $2.4 million fines and back taxes he has been ordered to pay. [The Guardian via Gallerist]

7. This looks good: Christopher Guest is making a new documentary-style comedy for HBO called Family Tree, starring members of his regular crew like Michael McKean and Fred Willard along with Ed Begley Jr. and Chris O'Dowd. [Ed note. Thanks Whitney!] [The Hollywood Reporter via Playbill]

8. Apparently "Greasy Face Mitt Romney" is a popular meme now. Ahh the wonders of the Internetz. [via Buzzfeed]